European (Italian?) Dagger

[A Senefelder]

I believe, from my short time around this forum that this is why Jim is " the man " so much of the time.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by A Senefelder

I believe, from my short time around this forum that this is why Jim is " the man " so much of the time.

Thank you Alan, not really though, its just that I love to research, learn, and try to share what I find. Its all about the search, and the most fun is when everybody really digs in and finds answers. You'll see that often old threads pop up when something is found...its all case NEVER closed and always finding new evidence!

For example, still looking on this one.

This dagger is virtually 'of the style' of Italian pugnale's of late 17th and well into the 18th as I found in the "Arms and Armour Annual" (ed. Robert Held, 1973). In an article on what are known as 'fusetti' or 'bombardier stilettos' which were thin bladed daggers with graduated scales on the blades the exact same hilt configuration is seen.Often these were carried by assassins as in those times only these military gunners were allowed these stilettos, which had been outlawed as insidious weapons earlier.
The baroque motif and symbols which allude to possible secret society or fraternal association along with the acanthus leaves suggest Victorian period gentry oriented classicism. While the blade suggests it is Italian, it would seem that the attraction to things Italian in England in fashion, literature etc. would have made this particular dagger with somewhat sinister allusions even more attractive.

These are my observations so far, and as always, I very much look forward to the views of others.

All the best,
Jim

[A Senefelder]

Thank you Alan, not really though,

Humility is a timeless gauge of a gentleman.

Its all about the search, and the most fun is when everybody really digs in and finds answers.

This is what i'm quickly comming to discover as I travel into the uncharted territory ( for me ) of ethnographics. It was what first drew me into militaria when I was a kid ( Dads to blame for getting me started ) and still holds its allure today.

I believe the blade has been cut down as Fernando notes about the fuller reaching nearly the tip of the blade. It also seems to teminate deep inside the quillon block as it exhibits no signs of tappering where it enters. While fullers could continue slightly inside the block generally they're tappering away, this fuller seems to be continuing in uniform width when it enters the block ( the fuller of the composite sword I posted earlier is defintely narrowing at the point where the shoulder of the original guard would have been by way of example ).

[Spunjer]

i think you nail it on the head, jim! what he forgot to mentioned was a bunch of obscure letters on the other side of the blade. barely legible. see here:



the name "CLAUDIO" matches! so it could be "CLAUDIO FRANZINI" like you mentioned

and here are the maker's marks:



close up of the tip:

[Spunjer]

here are the dimensions:



and finally, close ups of the crossguard and hilt:

[Atlantia]

Similar blade with short fuller:





I would say that this is how your blade started.
Visible fuller length beyond cup/guard on my sword is 10".
I would place the date of the reconstruction to possibly end of the 18thC but more likey early 19thC (as Jim said).
Despite the fact that this is made from a reclaimed blade, I think that it is of rather good quality. The mounts remind me of the Napoleonic era. There is an almost naval dirk look to the whole piece also.
Rather interesting.

[Spunjer]

interesting indeed! what's the length of the sword?